Novel Microorganism Having Gastric-Juice Promoting Activity, and Its Secretory Product

ABSTRACT

Designed to afford a novel microorganism promoting gastric juice secretion and having platelet increasing activity, and to afford a pharmaceutical agent composed of a product secreted by the novel microorganism. The novel microorganism, international deposit number: NITE BP-295, belongs to the species  Bacillus pumilus,  and is characterized by taking either form of coccus and bacillus, and makes figure-eight movement. The novel microorganism of the present invention is the novel microorganism having the gene represented by SEQ ID No: 1, and an object of the present invention is to afford the microorganism and a gastric juice secretion-promoting composition composed of the product secreted by the novel microorganism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention, involving a novel microorganism belonging to thespecies Bacillus pumilus, relates to a novel microorganism, and to itssecretory products and plasmids employing them, having an activity thatprompts the secretion of gastric juice, countering gastric-acid decreasedue to chronic gastritis.

2. Description of the Related Art

For gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and other peptic ulcers, drugs(such as gastric-acid secretion blockers, and gastric antacids) thatsuppress digestive fluids and other visceral-wall invasive factors, anddrugs (such as mucoprotective agents) that reinforce defense mechanismshave been used. Nevertheless, although promoting gastric-acid secretionpresumably should be effective in patients with chronic gastritis,particularly atrophic gastritis, the present situation is thatgastric-juice promoters that are nontoxic to living organisms have notbeen developed.

In cases of Helicobacter pylori infection, which is one of the causes ofgastric ulcers, chronic gastritis is engendered, ultimately ending ininducing ulcers and cancer. That is, the bacteria is deleterious to thegastric condition; yet the reality is that a microorganism that improvesthe gastric condition while being a kindred microbe has yet to bediscovered.

Accordingly, the discovery of a gastric-health meliorating microorganismantagonistic to H. pylori has been desired. Meanwhile, the manufactureof therapeutic agents utilizing discovered novel microorganisms andtheir secretory products has been an issue.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to experiments by the inventors, for an environment that istotally the opposite of H. pylori, that is, to counter chronicgastritis—particularly, the type of chronic gastritis in which gastricacid decreases—a novel microorganism of the present invention promotesgastric juice secretion to alleviate the chronic gastritis, and moreoveris hypothesized to prevent cancer and ulcers from chronic gastritis.Thus, the novel microorganism can be detected from stomach and blood ofall persons, and can also be detected from the blood of patients withchronic gastritis, ulcers, or cancer.

Not only does it have properties advantageous to promoting gastric-juicesecretion, but because it also exhibits platelet-, erythrocyte-, andleukocyte-increasing action, it enables multifarious applications.

As a result of animal experiments, effectiveness in promoting gastricjuice secretion was confirmed in a novel microorganism (InternationalDeposit Number: NITE BP-295) belonging to the species Bacillus pumilus;moreover, it proved to be nontoxic because its LD₅₀ is 2 g or more.

This microorganism can be both punctuate and catenulate in form, is 0.5to 1 μm×10 to 20 μm in size with a flagellum on either end, and hasmotility, making figure-eight movements. It has spores, and is a highlyaerobic gram-positive bacillus and coccus. It takes on a catenulateform. The isolation source is the human stomach wall or blood.Alternatively, a virus giving rise to chronic gastritis may be implantedin a fertilized ovum and the antagonizing microbes that appear may becollected.

The cultivation conditions are as below.

Per 1000 ml medium, (trypto-soya broth) are added the nutrients

peptone—17 g,

soybean peptone—3 g,

sodium chloride—5 g,

glucose—2.5 g, and

potassium hydrogenphosphate—2.5 g,

and 3 g caustic soda is added in. The pH is adjusted to 8.5. Nutrientmedium sterilization conditions: 121° C., perform 15 minutes;cultivation temperature: 37° C.; cultivation period: from 2 to 7 days.

The bacteria cultivated under the above conditions are characterized bybeing obligatory-aerobic; viability confirmation is by unaided visualobservation or by observation under a microscope.

Storage conditions: possible by generally employed methods, includingfreeze drying.

The novel microorganism thus collected has the followingcharacteristics. It should be noted that they are principally bymicroscopic observation.

-   1. When it phagocytoses pathogens, antibacterial properties    intensify.-   2. Changes form depending on the pathogenic bacterium.-   3. Secretory substances that are metabolites are brown.-   4. Does not invade erythrocytes. (As to erythrocytes: When ordinary    anticancer drugs are employed, the red blood cell count will not    decrease—with the Hb remaining 12 to 16, the red blood cell count    does not decrease; with hepatitis C, it goes to about 6.)-   5. The novel microorganism cleanses dead tissue.-   6. The novel microorganism is susceptible to radioactive beams,    ultraviolet rays, and microacoustic waves.-   7. The novel microorganism is highly heat-resistant—can withstand    100° C. for several hours, and does not lyse. Survives autoclaving.-   8. Prompts increase in erythrocytes, platelets, and leukocytes;    remedying of anemia is seen.    -   (From the fact that in a patient whose leukocyte was 6000, a        white-blood-cell count of over 500 was verified even after being        administered an anticancer drug, the augmenting action owing to        this bacterium was verified. From the fact that in a patient        whose platelet was 200,000, it fell only to the 3,000 level even        after the patient was administered an anticancer drug, the        augmenting action owing to this bacterium was verified.)

Its sequence: Partial sequencing was carried out; proved to have thegenetic sequence represented by Seq. No. 1. Furthermore, as illustratedin FIGS. 2 through 4, the microorganism was determined to be, with 99%homology, the species Bacillus pumilus. The phylogenetic tree is as inFIG. 5. With the sequence having been partially specified, applicationto, for example, plasmid expression vectors and other practical uses arepossible, and in large-scale culturing, screening, and drug manufacturenumerous benefits are anticipated.

A method of extracting the secretory products is as follows. First,bacteria are cultivated in broth at a temperature of 33 to 37° C. forseven days. Next, pure butyl alcohol, in the same amount as, is added isstirred well into the culture filtrate. After leaving the mixture forthree hours, or centrifuging it, the clear butyl alcohol liquid isseparated off. Decinormal hydrochloric acid is added to the liquid tobring the pH to 3.0, and the mixture is stirred thoroughly and left for12 hours. The mixture is then vacuum-dried to obtain bright yellowcrystals, and organic and inorganic substances.

The solution apart from the butyl alcohol liquid is mixed in with activecarbon, stirred well, and left for one day.

Active carbon alone is added to butyl alcohol, and after 12 hours thebutyl alcohol eluate is subjected to vacuum drying. Thereafter repeatinglikewise, crystal is obtained.

The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturingsecretory products from the present invention, utilizing aphenotypically transformed microorganism incorporating an expressionvector having a DNA sequence such as will code the amino-acid sequenceof the secretory product. A phenotypically transformed microorganismaccording to the present invention is cultivated in the manner describedabove, and the secretory product is isolated from the nutrient medium.

The novel microorganism of the present invention and its secretoryproducts have activity prompting secretion of gastric acid, and areheat-resistant. The extract is hypothesized to counter chronic gastritisof the type in which gastric acid decreases, and other chronicgastritis, by promoting gastric acid secretion to alleviate the chronicgastritis, and, by regulating the stomach condition, in turn to preventcancer and ulcers from the chronic gastritis. The bacterium is detectedfrom the stomach and blood of all persons, and occasionally from theblood of patients with chronic gastritis, ulcers, or cancer.

Not only does it have properties advantageous to promoting gastric-juicesecretion, but because it also exhibits platelet-, erythrocyte-, andleukocyte-increasing action, and moreover is nontoxic, it enablesmultifarious applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a homology search explanatory diagram.

FIG. 2 is a diagram presenting homology search results (bases 1-60).

FIG. 3 is a diagram presenting homology search results (bases 61-840).

FIG. 4 is a diagram presenting homology search results (bases 841-1480).

FIG. 5 is a diagram presenting a phylogenetic tree of a novelmicroorganism of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram presenting a nutrient-medium colony of the novelmicroorganism of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagram presenting a Gram-stain of a large colony.

FIG. 9 is a diagram presenting a Gram-stain of a small colony.

FIG. 10 is a diagram representing an individual identifying method inwhich pigment is applied to mouse fur.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention becomes apparent from typical embodiments cited inthe following examples, but the present invention is not limited to thescope of the examples.

In the embodiments of the present invention, Embodiment 1 firstrepresents cultivation conditions and results, and Embodiment 2 nextdescribes how to separate secretory product off, and animal experimentemploying the secretory product. Furthermore, antitumor test (Embodiment3), toxicity test (Embodiment 4), clinical test (Embodiment 5), stainingtest (Embodiment 6) are explained.

First Embodiment

This microorganism is punctuate or catenulate in shape and 0.5 to 1μm×10 to 20 μm in size with flagella on its both ends, and has motilityto perform figure-eight movement. Although the microorganism is aerobicgram-positive bacillus or coccus with spores, it also takes oncatenulate shape. The isolation source is the human stomach wall orblood. The cultivation conditions are as below. Per 1000 ml medium,(trypto-soya broth) are added the nutrients

peptone—17 g,

soybean peptone—3 g,

sodium chloride—5 g,

glucose—2.5 g, and

potassium hydrogenphosphate—2.5 g,

and 3 g caustic soda is added in. The pH is adjusted to 8.5. Nutrientmedium sterilization conditions: 121° C., perform 15 minutes;cultivation temperature: 37° C.; cultivation period: from 2 to 7 days.(FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9.)

The bacteria cultivated under the above conditions are characterized bybeing obligatory-aerobic; viability confirmation is by unaided visualobservation or by observation under a microscope. FIG. 6 presents animage of colonies cultivated for one day in the designated medium.

Furthermore, that of the colonies which is boxed in a square on theright is the colony whose surface is greatly rough, and that of thecolonies which is boxed in a rectangular on the left is the small colonywhose surface is smooth. FIG. 7 is an enlarged part of the colonies.Results of Gram-staining demonstrate that the right side colony isgram-positive bacillus (FIG. 8), and the left side colony isgram-positive coccus (FIG. 9). As to the conditions under which thebacteria are stored, they can be stored in ways generally employed,including freeze dehydration.

Second Embodiment

As to a change in animal gastric juice, a reaction to secretion-productdoses was checked.

How Secretion Product Extracted

The secretory product was extracted in the following manner: Thecolonies were put in an incubator with temperature of 37° C., and whenthe surfaces of the colonies became right gray or right yellow surfacesafter two to seven days, the colonies were put in broth to cultivatebacteria for seven days at a temperature of 30° C. to 37° C.

Next, into the culture filtrate, the same amount of pure butyl alcoholas the culture filtrate was stirred.

After the culture filtrate into which the butyl alcohol had been stirredwas left for three hours, or was centrifuged, clear butyl alcoholsolution was separated off.

The butyl alcohol solution was added with decinomal hydrochloric acid tobring pH to 3.0, stirred thoroughly, and left for 12 hours.Subsequently, the solution was vacuum-dried to obtain right yellowcrystal, organic and inorganic substances.

A solution other than butyl alcohol solution and active carbon wasmixed, stirred thoroughly, and left for one day.

Only active carbon was added to butyl alcohol, and after 12 hours, butylalcohol eluate was subjected to vacuum-dry. Afterwards, such procedureswere repeated to obtain crystal.

Animal Experiment

In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as to the product secreted bythe novel microorganism, a test for measuring the amount of gastricjuice secretion in Heidenhain pouch dogs was carried out.

Experimental: As medium, carbohydrate solution was used in theproportion of 5% to the secretory product of 2.6 g (and was stored atroom temperatures).

-   Experimental animal: male dogs purchased at the age of 13 months    were for 13 days medically inspected, acclimated, and bread. By    observing their normal conditions, and by measuring their weights,    whether or not the dogs are healthy animals was checked to use 13    month-old animals whose weights on the day of surgery was from 14.2    to 14.7 kg.-   Environment: The experimental environment was arranged in the range    in which a temperature was from 20 to 28° C., a relative humidity    was from 30 to 80%, the times of ventilation was from 12 to 18 times    per hour, lighting hours were 2 hours (from 7:00 to 19:00).-   Feed: Labo D Stock® (Nosan Corporation)-   Drinking water: Water was taken freely from an automatic feed device    in a water supply and sewerage system.-   Administration Method: The secretory product of 500 mg was put in a    mortar, and then the carbohydrate solution in the proportion of 5%    was put in the mortar to dissolve the secretory product with a    pestle. The carbohydrate solution was added to the dissolved    secretory product so as to be 50 ml, and was rendered a dosing    solution.-   Dosing solution weight: 10 mg/kg-   Dosing solution volume: 1 mL/kg, three examples-   Measurement Method: The amount of secreted gastric acid was measured    every 15 minutes within 2 hours after the dosing solution was    administered, and changes in the secreted gastric acid amount were    studied.

Heidenhain Pouch Dog Preparation and Management

The dogs were given nothing to eat for 18 hours or more as of the daybefore the surgery, and atropine hydrosulfate (0.1 mg/kg) wasintramuscularly administered in the dogs 30 minutes before anesthesiainduction. Sodium thiopental was given to the dogs from their forelimbcephalic veins to induce anesthesia, and then the dogs were laid on theback on a moisturizing pad of a body temperature controller, with thepad temperature being arranged to be 38° C. on a surgical bed. The dogs'tracheae were then cannulated and they were given artificial respirationand an inhalant anesthetic. The artificial-respiration singleinhale/exhale volume was made 20 to 25 mg/kg, at 11 to 13 cylces/min.The inhalant anesthetic was introduced with an added 1 to 4% having beennitrous-oxide gasified, and maintenance anesthesia at 0.5 to 2.0% wascarried out. After the hair on and around the dogs' abdominal region wasremoved with an electric clipper, the entire operating area wassterilized and an incision was made through the skin and muscle layersalong a medial line from slightly below the xiphisternum to above thenavel region, and then the stomachs were withdrawn from the abdominalcavities to expose the stomachs on the abdominal walls. The bloodvessels in the greater curvature of the stomach intersecting with anexcision marking line were double-ligated, and cut. After that, theexcision marking line was cut and sutured with a gastrointestinalsuturing instrument and a gastrostomy tube was set alongside thepouches, and then the opened abdominal region was sutured and the pouchinterior was washed several times with a warmed physiological salinesolution. The dogs were given nothing to eat within two days from theday after the surgery. During the food deprivation, the dogs receivedfluid of 150 mL/day (Lactec D®, Otuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd). Afterthe food deprivation, the dogs were bred as usual, and in order toprevent dehydration, dietary salt (approx. 0.4 g/day) was mixed intofeed, and given to the dogs.

Gastric Juice Secretion Measurement Method

The Heidenhain pouch dogs were used three weeks after the surgery. Thedogs were deprived of feed for 18 hours or more in the situation inwhich water was given, and their gastric juice was collected with thedogs being hung with an abdominal bandage in a steel pipe frame. Thegastric juice was collected every 15 minutes from 30 minutes before, totwo hours after, secretory product administration, and the gastric juicevolume (mL) and acidity (value measured by neutralizing titrationtechnique with 0.01 N NaOH: mEq/L) were measured to calculate from theobtained gastric juice volume and acidity the secreted gastric juiceamount (mEq/15 min) at each measuring time.

The results are set forth in Tables 1 through 4.

TABLE 1 Change of secreted gastric juice amount by administrating (testsubstance) A Secretion secreted gastric juice amount (mEq/15 min)Experimental amount before Inspection time after administration (min)Group (mg/kg) n = 3 administration 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 Secretion10 Average 0.82 0.97 0.96 1.18 1.20* 0.95 0.77 0.88* 0.72(testsubstance)^(A) standard 0.09 0.12 0.16 0.19 0.12 0.16 0.04 0.080.05 deviation *P < 0.05; Significant difference with respect to beforeadministration rate (Paired t-test)

TABLE 2 Change of secreted gastric juice amount by administratingsecretion (test substance) A secreted gastric juice amount (mEq/15 min)Experimental Individual before Inspection time after administration(min) Group number administration 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 Secretion 10.75 0.80 0.90 1.20 1.00 0.65 0.72 0.80 0.64 (testsubstance)^(A) 2 1.001.20 1.25 1.50 1.40 1.20 0.84 1.05 0.80 3 0.72 0.90 0.72 0.84 1.20 1.000.75 0.80 0.72

TABLE 3 Change of secreted gastric juice amount by administratingsecretion (test substance) A secreted gastric juice amount (mEq/15 min)Experimental Secretion before Inspection time after administration (min)Group amount n = 3 administration 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 meat extract25% Average 0.01 0.15 0.53 0.57 0.41 0.25 0.15 0.09 0.07 standard 0.00.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 deviation

TABLE 4 Change of secreted gastric juice amount by administrating meatextract secreted gastric juice amount (mEq/15 min) ExperimentalIndividual before Inspection time after administration (min) Groupnumber administration 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 meat extract 1 0.02 0.270.55 0.52 0.42 0.31 0.19 0.12 0.12 2 0.02 0.16 0.61 0.57 0.32 0.31 0.200.11 0.07 3 0.00 0.02 0.42 0.61 0.48 0.14 0.07 0.03 0.02

Results of administering the secretory product demonstrated gastricjuice secretion amounts of 0.82 to 1.20 on an average before, and withintwo hours of, the secretory product administration, and demonstrated thelargest increase in gastric acid secretion amount 60 minutes after thesecretory product administration. The increment was 0.38 mEq/15 min.

Experimental results on individual dogs 1, 2, and 3 are set forth inTable 2. The results demonstrated statistically significant increases ingastric juice secretion amount 60 minutes and 105 minutes after thesecretory product administration, compared with the gastric juicesecretion amount before the administration. On an average, gastric juicesecretion amounts were of 0.01 to 0.57 before, and within two hours of,meet extract administration (Tables 3 and 4). The amount of gastric acidsecretion increased most largely 45 minutes after the meet extractionadministration, and the increment was 0.56 mEq/15 min.

In the secretory product of the present invention, above examples showedstatistically significant differences in gastric acid secretion 60minutes and 105 minutes after the secretory product administration, andalso showed a tendency for the gastric acid secretion to increase even15, 30, 45 and 75 minutes after the gastric acid secretionadministration, even though there was no statistically significantdifference. Compared with the results of administering meet extract, thesecretory product (test substance) administration results demonstratedslightly smaller increment than that in the meet extract administrationresults, but demonstrated at the time at which the gastric acidsecretion most largely increased, the gastric acid secretion increaseand decrease similar to those in the meet extract administrationresults. From these results, it is believed that the secretory product(test substance) is effective in increasing gastric juice secretionamount, and this effect was the same with that of the meat extract.

Third Embodiment

In embodiment 3 of the present invention, in order to searcheffectiveness of the secretory product to Xenograft model, study ofinfluence of the secretory product on tumor cell line MKN-45 wasattempted. The secretory product as test substance was administeredsubcutaneously in experimental animals for four weeks. As end points,weight measurement, tumor volume measurement, hematological test, andpathological test were carried out.

Experimental Overview

1. Experimental animal: Twenty animals 15.2 to 20.1 g inweigh—BALB/C-nu-type male mice purchased at the age of four weeks—wereused. Through the experimental period, the animals were bred in ananimal room arranged in a region in which a temperature was 20 to 26°C., a relative humidity was 40 to 70%, the times of ventilation was 10to 20 times per hour, lighting hours were 12 hours.

2. Breeding conditions: Water and feed are freely taken.

3. Experimental groups: When tumors developed to have an average volumeof 200 to 300 mm³, the animals were divided into two groups.

4. Bulk powder of the product secreted by the novel microorganism wasprecisely weighed with a top-loading balance for highly preciseanalysis, and was dissolved into normal saline solution of 10 mL. Alldosing solutions were prepared when used.

5. Tumor cell preparation: Cell culture solution was prepared by addingto medium penicillin-streptomycin of 100 u/mL to 100 μmL.

Cells that had been frozen were thawed in warm water of approx. 37° C.to transfer the cells to a centrifuge tube containing the culturesolution previously incubated at temperature of 37° C. After the culturesolution in which the cells were transferred was centrifuged at 1000 rpmfor five minutes, supernatant was cleared out, and the culture solutionwas added to the cells, and suspended thoroughly by pipetting.Subsequently, the suspension was moved into a culture flask to startculture in a CO₂ incubator (MCO-175 from Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd) inwhich temperature was arranged to be 37° C., and carbon dioxideconcentration was arranged to be 5%. In subcultivating the cells, theculture solution was removed from the incubator before cell densityincreased excessively, and the surfaces of the cells were cleaned withPBS solution. After that, the cells were added with 0.25% trypsin and 1m MEDTA solution, put in the CO₂ incubator, and completely separatedoff. The separated cells were collected with a proper amount of culturesolution, and the cells and culture solution were centrifuged at 1000rpm for 5 minutes. Then, supernatant was removed, and culture solutionwas added to the cells, and pipetted. After that, the cells were seededin a different culture flask containing the culture solution.Subcultivation was carried out as frequently as two to four days, thecells subcultitvated two times or more were used for transplantation.

6. Administration method: The test substances were subcutaneouslyadministered dorsally in the mice once-daily for four weeks with adisposable syringe and a 27 G injection needle. The amount of dosingsolution was calculated based on weights measured two times a week.

7. Tumor cells: Tumor cells were subcutaneously administered dorsally inthe mice with the disposable syringe and 27 G injection needle on theday of transplantation.

In the foregoing experiment, normal condition of the mice and whether ornot the mice were living were checked once a day, and their weights weremeasured twice a week. Furthermore, the tumor longest diameter (A) andshortest diameter (B) were measured twice a week with a digital caliper.From the measured longest and shortest diameters, tumor volume wascalculated using the following expression.

Tumor volume (mm³)=AB ²/2

Furthermore, hematological test was carried out. As to bloodEDTA-2K-trated after taken from abdominal great veins of all the mice,the following inspection items were measured with an automatichematology analyzer (Sysmex corporation, E-4000). The results are setforth in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Inspection Item Measuring Method or Instrument Unit/Sign Redblood cell (RBC) count Electrical-resistance detection 10⁴/μL Hematocrit(Ht) Maximum erythroid pulse detection % Hemoglobin (Hb) content SLShemoglobin method g/dL Platelet (Plt) count Electrical-resistancedetection 10⁴/μL White blood cell (WBC) count Eectrical-resistancedetection 10²/μL Mean red blood cell index calculation method Meancorpuscular volume (MCV)$\frac{{Ht}(\%)}{{RBC}\left( {10^{4}/{\mu L}} \right)} \times 10^{3}$fL Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)$\frac{{Hb}\left( {g/{dL}} \right)}{{RBC}\left( {10^{4}/{\mu L}} \right)} \times 10^{3}$pg Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)$\frac{{Hb}\left( {g/{dL}} \right)}{\left. {{Ht}(\%)} \right)} \times 10^{2}$%

Pathology test: After the blood drawing was completed, tumor tissueswere extirpated to measure their weights, and then were fixed with aneutral buffered formalin solution. After the fixing, paraffin sectionswere prepared in accordance with a normal method, and then weresubjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining. Subsequently, by carrying outimmunohistochemical staining (TUNEL), positive cells in 1000 tumor cellswere counted to calculate the ratio positive cells/tumor cells.

Twenty mice were used to subcutaneously transplant tumors dorsally inthe mice. After the tumor transplantation, when the tumor developed tohave an average volume of approx. 200 to 300 mm, the mice were dividedinto two groups so that the average tumor volume in one group equals tothat in another. The test substances were administered subcutaneously inthe mice continuously for four weeks. From the day of the test substanceadministration, normal condition of the mice, and whether or not themice were living were observed once-daily for four weeks, and weights ofthe mice and sizes of the tumors were measured twice a week. Four weeksafter the test substance administration, blood of the mice was takenfrom their abdominal great veins under ether anesthesia, and tumortissues were extirpated.

The foregoing test results will be described in detail.

1. Shifts in weight: Weight changes in the two groups for four weeksafter the test substance administration were set forth in Tables 6 and7. In both of the two groups: that of the groups in which normal salinesolution was administered, and that of the groups in which the secretoryproduct was administered, significant weight decreases were observedduring the administration period. The peak of the weight decreases wason the twelfth day from the administration in the normal salinesolution-administering group, and was on the second day from theadministration in the secretory product-administering group. Comparedwith the weight on the first day from the administration, the normalsaline solution-administering group experienced weight decrease of 1.9 gon the twelfth day, and the secretory product-administering groupexperienced weight decrease of 1.2 g on the second day.

TABLE 6 Influence of repeated oral dosing of secretory product (testsubstance) A for four weeks on weight in nude mouse antitumor test(MKN-45) sample Weight (g) Dosage material number 1 5 8 12 15 19 22 2629 (day) Normal saline 10 Average 18.1 17.2* 17.3 16.2** 16.3** 16.5**16.3** 16.7** 17.4 solution standard 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5deviation Secretion 10 Average 19.3 19.2 19.1 18.6** 18.2** 18.2**18.1** 18.6* 19.4 (testsubstance)^(A) standard 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.40.5 0.5 0.5 deviation *, **p < 0.05, 0.01 Significant difference withrespect to before administration rate (Paired t test)

TABLE 7 Influence on four weeks repetition oral administration of thesecretion which gives it to the weight in the antitumor examination ofthe nude mouse (MKN-45) Dosage Weight (g) material Animal No. 1 5 8 1215 19 22 26 29 (day) Normal saline 1 17.2 16.8 17.6 17.0 17.0 16.9 17.317.4 17.7 solution 2 17.8 16.3 16.0 14.9 14.9 15.1 14.5 15.0 15.9 3 18.718.6 18.6 17.4 18.0 18.0 17.8 18.8 19.2 4 18.0 16.4 16.6 15.6 15.6 15.715.6 16.4 17.7 5 17.6 17.0 17.5 16.6 16.9 17.1 16.6 16.2 18.0 6 17.716.4 16.2 15.1 15.1 15.7 15.8 16.2 16.8 7 19.5 18.7 19.3 17.8 18.1 18.518.0 18.7 19.0 8 16.9 18.3 17.9 16.0 15.9 16.8 16.5 16.8 17.2 9 18.716.5 16.3 15.6 15.6 15.9 15.3 15.6 16.0 10 18.5 17.4 17.2 15.9 15.8 15.715.7 16.0 16.5 Secretion 11 20.8 19.3 19.7 19.1 19.3 18.7 18.9 19.4 20.1(testsubstance)^(A) 12 17.7 17.6 17.3 16.7 16.5 16.8 16.3 17.3 17.9 1316.5 15.9 16.0 15.9 15.4 15.8 15.5 15.5 16.7 14 21.3 20.9 20.7 20.2 19.519.1 18.7 18.5 18.8 15 19.6 19.8 19.7 19.6 19.0 18.9 18.8 19.7 20.0 1619.6 19.6 19.1 18.7 18.0 18.4 17.8 18.4 19.4 17 18.9 19.3 19.2 18.3 18.118.3 18.3 19.1 20.6 18 18.5 18.5 18.7 18.0 17.5 17.5 17.7 18.2 19.2 1921.0 22.3 22.2 20.9 20.4 20.4 20.6 21.3 22.2 20 19.1 18.4 18.5 18.3 18.218.3 18.2 18.1 19.3

2. Tumor weight measurement: Tumor volume changes within four weeks ofthe test substance administration are set forth in Tables 8 to 9. Thenormal saline solution-administering group demonstrated day-by-day tumorvolume increase during the solution administration period. Also in thesecretory product-administering group, the similar tumor volume increaseto that in the normal saline solution-administering group was observed.Both of the two groups experienced no significant tumor volume increaseon each measurement date.

TABLE 8 Influence of repeated oral dosing of secretory product (testsubstance) A for four weeks on tumor volume in nude mouse antitumor test(MKN-45) The number tumor volume (mm³) material of the examples 1 5 8 1215 19 22 26 29 (day) Normal saline 10 Average 255.9 382.5 478.5 584.3729.5 920.1 1094.6 1255.9 1479.9 solution standard 21.9 22.9 23.3 33.842.8 55.2 66.9 76.0 89.8 deviation Secretion 10 Average 223.7 350.3433.8 575.5 703.9 884.8 1014.1 1189.6 1412.2 (test substance)^(A)standard 21.8 33.8 37.2 49.4 69.3 87.0 92.8 125.3 142.8 deviation

TABLE 9 Influence of repeated oral dosing of secretory product (testsubstance) A for four weeks on hematological inspection in nude mouseantitumor test (MKN-45) Dosage tumor volume (mm³) material Animal No. 15 8 12 15 19 22 26 29 (day) Normal saline 1 290.1 578.0 760.8 940.81136.2 1403.6 1811.6 1963.5 2216.8 solution 2 292.5 366.7 539.6 602.8761.3 873.3 1207.1 1488.2 1851.3 3 137.7 296.5 425.3 457.9 577.6 658.6754.3 853.9 927.4 4 193.9 309.0 348.0 524.3 629.3 719.3 901.6 1111.61432.1 5 386.0 423.9 465.5 538.7 789.6 1074.6 1149.3 1362.9 1574.3 6252.4 342.4 433.4 593.0 621.9 780.4 899.2 951.7 1081.3 7 234.5 371.2465.7 543.3 685.6 875.5 1055.6 1204.0 1458.6 8 215.1 282.4 377.4 408.9533.3 792.4 957.2 1099.0 1325.4 9 252.0 328.1 382.2 469.8 615.3 811.1795.6 955.9 1207.3 10 305.2 527.3 586.8 763.1 945.3 1212.3 1414.5 1568.11724.7 (secretion test 11 305.8 396.1 471.0 684.1 879.3 1050.8 1228.11326.9 1526.7 substance)^(A) 12 321.4 445.5 536.2 686.7 804.8 958.21094.0 1617.4 1779.9 13 256.0 379.5 405.0 450.6 540.7 821.5 915.1 990.91289.7 14 169.0 306.6 366.1 539.3 652.9 767.3 843.7 941.5 1158.6 15113.4 136.1 186.4 252.5 288.8 385.6 489.1 635.1 788.2 16 245.0 436.4564.1 766.4 993.7 1350.6 1453.8 1758.2 2002.8 17 134.5 256.0 489.8 530.5551.4 773.3 943.2 993.6 1146.9 18 241.9 392.1 447.5 622.4 676.3 742.6799.3 899.4 976.8 19 210.8 326.1 402.7 605.0 819.3 984.6 1196.1 1495.01898.7 20 239.1 428.5 469.3 617.2 831.7 1013.7 1178.6 1237.8 1553.7

3. Hematological test: Results of hematological test in the two groupswithin four weeks of the test substance administration are set forth inTables 10 and 11. The secretory product-administering group experienceda more significant increase in platelet count among inspection items,compared with the saline solution administering-group, but neithernormal saline solution-administering group nor thesecretion-administering group experienced any significant increase inother seven inspection items.

TABLE 10 Influence of repeated oral dosing of secretory product (testsubstance) A for four weeks on hematological inspection in nude mouseantitumor test (MKN-45) Administered No. of RBC Ht Hb MCV MCH MCHC PltWBC substance Subjects (10⁴/μL) (%) (g/dL) (fL) (pg) (%) (10⁴/μL)(10²/μL) Normal saline 10 Average 1046.6 46.7 15.5 44.7 14.8 33.1 76.016.8 solution ± standard 9.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 2.7 1.8 deviationSecretion(test 10 Average 1040.6 45.6 14.9 43.9 14.3 32.7 94.0## 23.3substance)^(A) ± standard 12.5 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.4 2.8 3.8 deviationRBC: red blood cell count, Ht: hematocrit, Hb: hemoglobin content, MCV:mean corpuscular volume, MCH: mean corpuscular hemoglobin, MCHC: meancorpuscular hemoglobin concentration, Plt: platelet count, WBC: whiteblood cell count #, ##p < 0.05, 0.01 significant difference with respectto normal saline solution (student t test)

TABLE 11 Influence of repeated oral dosing of secretory product (testsubstance) A for four weeks on hematological inspection in nude mouseantitumor test (MKN-45) Dosage RBC Ht Hb MCV MCH MCHC Plt WBC materialAnimal No. (10⁴/μL) (%) (g/dL) (fL) (pg) (%) (10⁴/μL) (10²/μL) Normalsaline 1 1030 46.7 15.3 45.3 14.9 32.8 88.0 23 solution 2 1051 46.1 15.643.9 14.8 33.8 59.5 19 3 1012 46.0 14.9 45.5 14.7 32.4 73.0 12 4 101944.5 14.6 43.7 14.3 32.8 77.8 10 5 1078 47.6 15.6 44.2 14.5 32.8 82.1 216 1030 45.4 14.7 44.1 14.3 32.4 71.3 10 7 1101 48.4 15.7 44.0 14.3 32.482.4 11 8 1044 48.4 17.0 46.4 16.3 35.1 69.4 15 9 1026 45.8 15.7 44.615.3 34.3 72.1 23 10 1075 48.3 15.5 44.9 14.4 32.1 84.0 24 Secretion 111061 46.0 14.0 43.4 13.2 30.4 90.7 19 (test substance)^(A) 12 991 44.614.9 45.0 15.0 33.4 89.5 53 13 1021 46.5 14.9 45.5 14.6 32.0 94.1 23 141118 48.0 15.6 42.9 14.0 32.5 90.6 15 15 998 44.7 14.3 44.8 14.3 32.0104.6 28 16 1053 45.3 15.1 43.0 14.3 33.3 100.0 22 17 1001 43.3 14.343.3 14.3 33.0 109.1 10 18 1074 47.7 15.5 44.4 14.4 32.5 94.1 28 19 104945.1 15.9 43.0 15.2 35.3 89.6 12 20 1040 45.1 14.7 43.4 14.1 32.6 77.923 RBC: red blood cell count, Ht: hematocrit, Hb: hemoglobin, MCV: meancorpuscular volume, MCH: mean corpuscular hemoglobin, MCHC: meancorpuscular hemoglobin concentration, Plt: platelet count, WBC: whiteblood cell count

4. Tumor weight measurement: Changes of tumor weight measured 4 weeksafter the test substance administration are set forth in Tables 12 and13. The tumor weights in the normal saline solution-administering andsecretion-administering groups were respectively 0.093±0.109 g and1.022±0.016 g, and neither of the two groups experienced significanttumor weight changes.

TABLE 12 Influence of repeated oral dosing of secretory product (testsubstance)A for four weeks on tumor weight in nude mouse antitumor test(MKN-45) Dosage material sample No. tumor weight (g) Normal saline 10Average ± standard 1.093 ± 0.109 solution deviation Secretion 10 Average± standard 1.022 ± 0.016 (test substance)A deviation

TABLE 13 Influence of repeated oral dosing of secretory product (testsubstance)A for four weeks on tumor weight in nude mouse antitumortest(MKN-45) Dosage Animal tumor material No. weight (g) Normal saline 11.665 solution 2 1.534 3 0.925 4 1.006 5 0.605 6 0.599 7 1.141 8 1.099 91.220 10 1.140 Secretion 11 1.174 (test substance)^(A) 12 0.905 13 0.93714 1.026 15 0.751 16 1.613 17 1.047 18 0.595 19 1.658 20 0.511

5. Pathological test: Average values in the two groups in pathologicaltest within four weeks of the test substance administration are setforth in Tables 14 and 15. Results of calculating the ratio positivecells/tumor cells in the normal saline solution-administering andsecretion-administering groups demonstrated no numerical significantchange.

TABLE 14 Influence of repeated oral dosing of secretory product (testsubstance)A for four weeks on illness physical examination in nude mouseantitumor test (MKN-45) Dosage material Normal saline Secretion solution(test substance)^(A) parameter number of sample 10 10 Histological gradeGrade No therapeutic effects observed 0 10 (100.0)^(c) 10 (100)Degenerative changes in tumor cells, but no destruction of tumor nests I0 0 Destruction and disappearance of tumor nests, but viable cellsremain viable cells occupy large areas (≧⅓) IIa 0 0 viable cells occupysmall areas (<⅓) IIb 0 0 Tumor cells remain but appear non-viable III 00 No tumor cells remain IV 0 0 TUNEL^(d) index (% Average ± standard1.17 ± 0.16 1.09 ± 0.08 deviation) ^(c)Value in parenthesis indicatesthe % incidence ^(d)TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase) mediateddUTP-biotin Nick End Labeling

TABLE 15 Influence of repeated oral dosing of secretory product (testsubstance) A for four weeks on illness physical examination in nudemouse antitumor test (MKN-45) Dosage material Animal No. Organs/tissuesFindings Histological grade TUNEL index (%) Normal saline 1 Tumor Notherapeutic effects observed 0 1.6 solution 2 Tumor No therapeuticeffects observed 1.2 3 Tumor No therapeutic effects observed 0 0.7 4Tumor No therapeutic effects observed 0 1.2 5 Tumor No therapeuticeffects observed 0 2.4 6 Tumor No therapeutic effects observed 0 0.9 7Tumor No therapeutic effects observed 0 1.3 8 Tumor No therapeuticeffects observed 0 0.8 9 Tumor No therapeutic effects observed 0 0.9 10Tumor No therapeutic effects observed 0 0.7 Average 1.17 standard 0.16deviation Secretion 11 Tumor No therapeutic effects observed 0 0.9 (testsubstance)^(A) 12 Tumor No therapeutic effects observed 0 1.3 13 TumorNo therapeutic effects observed 0 1.0 14 Tumor No therapeutic effectsobserved 0 0.8 15 Tumor No therapeutic effects observed 0 0.9 16 TumorNo therapeutic effects observed 0 1.5 17 Tumor No therapeutic effectsobserved 0 1.2 18 Tumor No therapeutic effects observed 0 1.3 19 TumorNo therapeutic effects observed 0 1.2 20 Tumor No therapeutic effectsobserved 0 0.8 Average 1.09 standard 0.08 deviation

In both of the normal saline solution-administering and secretoryproduct-administering groups, as to weight during the administrationperiod, above results demonstrated weight decrease until the second orthird day from the administration, but showed a tendency of regainingthe weight on the first day of the administration after the second orthird day from the administration. Such a weight decrease is believed tooccur under the influence of the tumor transplantation, not of the testsubstance, because the normal saline solution-administering group alsoexperiences the weight decrease. As to tumor volume, in the normalsaline solution-administering and secretory product-administeringgroups, a tumor volume increase similar to the tumor weight increase wasobserved during the administration period, and a tumor volume decreasecaused by secretory product administration was not demonstrated. In thehematological test, the secretory product-administering groupexperienced a significant increase in platelet count. These results madeit clear that the secretory product of the present invention dose nothave activity increasing tumor cells. Accordingly, it is apparent thatthe secretory product of the present invention can be safely given evento patients with stomach cancer and other tumors in digestive system inorder to increase gastric juice of the patients.

In addition, although the weight decrease was demonstrated until thesecond or third day from the administration, no significant change wasexperienced. Tumor weight measurement: Tumor weight changes in the twogroups within four weeks of the test substance administration are setforth in Tables 8 and 9. The normal saline solution-administering groupdemonstrated a day-by-day tumor volume increase during theadministration period. Also in the secretory product-administratinggroup, a similar tumor volume increase to that in the normal salinesolution-administering group was observed. Neither of the two groupsexperienced any significant tumor volume increase.

Fourth Embodiment

Embodiment 4 (single subcutaneous dose toxicity test on mice with theproduct secreted by the novel microorganism) of the present inventionwill be described with FIG. 10. In this test, a study was made as tolethal dose and toxicological appearance in the situation in which theproduct secreted by the novel microorganism was subcutaneouslyadministered in the mice one time.

Secretory Product from Present-Invention Novel Microorganism Employed

-   1. Characteristics: brownish-yellow colored; acicular crystalline.-   2. Solubility: Soluble in distilled water, and in 5% dextrose in    water.-   3. Stability: Stable because not hydrolyzable, air-oxidizing,    photodegradable, or thermally degradable. At a pH of 8 or more,    however, becomes clouded.-   4. Storing conditions: Hermetically sealed (with a desiccant being    included) at room temperature.-   5. Storing location: Stored in a room-temperature cabinet.

Experimental Mice

1. Species, genealogy, sex: mouse {Slc:ICR}, SPF animal, male

2. Age in week: Mice that are four weeks old are grouped at the age of 5weeks to start using the mice at the age of 6 weeks.

3. Weights of the mice when they are grouped: 29.4 to 33.9 g

4. Breeding environment conditions: A temperature is from 22.2 to 22.7°C.; a relative humidity is from 48.6 to 64.2%; RH•light-dark cycle is12hours; the times of ventilation is 10 times per hour; and feed anddrinking water are taken freely.

5. Individual identification: In 5 animals in each of the administratinggroups, fur of the mice illustrated in FIG. 10 was applied with pigmentby employing saturated picric acid solution to perform individualidentification.

6. Dosing solution adjusting method: After the secretory product andsolvent (distilled water) were weighed, they were gradually blended,crushed and made cloud, and then were rendered a predetermined amount ofdosing solution.

7. Dosing solution amount: the dosing solution weight and grouping asshown in Table 5 with 2000 mg/kg that was the upper limit in guidelinefor non-clinical trials for pharmaceuticals being defined as high dose,dosing solution weight was 1,000 mg/kg half of the high dose, and acontrol (comparative group) was arranged.

8. Administration Method: Dosing solution was subcutaneouslyadministered, and in both the administering groups, dosing solution of20 mL/kg was administered. Each dosing solution calculated from weightright before the administration was administred subcutaneously in backsof necks of the mice with a syringe on which a 26 G needle was put.Administration period was determined to be only one time on the firstday (Day 1), and the administration was carried out in the morning.

9. Observation period: Observation period was determined to be until thefifteenth day with the day of administration as the first day. As towhen observation was carried out, whether or not the mice were livingand normal condition of the mice were observed right after theadministration, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after the administration only onthe first day. On days other than the day of administration, whether ornot the mice were living and normal condition of the mice were observedin the morning, and in the afternoon, only whether or not the mice wereliving was checked. In observing the normal condition, whether or notthe mice was abnormal in appearance (fur, eyes, ears, nose, anus, andvulvar), behavior, posture, breathing, muscle stress, and enteruria, andthe extent of the abnormality were observed with the naked eye, andweights of the mice were measured.

10. Pathology inspection: There is no fatal case in the test. Thesurvived mice in the groups therefore were abdominally operated on thefifteenth day under pentobarbital sodium salt anesthesia (100 mg/kg,intraperitoneal administration), and the abdominal great arterio-veinsof the mice were cut to euthanize the mice by exsanguinations. Afterthat, the mice were quickly dissected in accordance with pathologicalmanner to observe organs and tissues on the surfaces of the bodies andin orifices, brainpans, chest cavities and abdominal cavities.

As a result of the experiment, the following became evident.

1. Incidence of Animal Death

Neither of the groups experienced death nor moribund condition of themice.

2. Normal Condition

Neither of the groups experienced changes in normal condition of themice.

3. Shifts in Weight

The group in which dosing solution of 1,000 mg/kg was administered andthe group in which dosing solution of 2,000 mg/kg was administeredshowed a (slight) decrease in weight on the day after theadministration. In the 2,000 mg/kg administering group experienced asignificant decrease, compared with the comparative group. Herein,weight changes in the 1,000 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg administering groupsfrom the third day to the fifteenth day were increase similar to thosein the comparative group.

4. Pathology Inspection

In 2/5 cases in the 1,000 mg/kg administering group and 5/5 cases in the2,000 mg/kg administering group, green-brown (slight) deposition thatseemed to be secretory product was found in a site of the administration(subcutaneous tissue of the back of neck) depending on dosing solutionweight. Furthermore, 1/5 cases in the 1000 mg/kg administering groupexperienced (left) testis (slight) diminishing. Abnormal findings otherthan the testis diminishing were not observed.

From the foregoing results, in the study of the lethal dose andtoxicological appearance in the situation in which secretory product wasadministered one time subcutaneously in the mice to observe the mice for15 days, although the weights of the mice on the second day (slightly)decreased depending on the dosing solution weight, weight changessimilar to those in the comparative group was observed after the thirdday, so that is was believed that administering secretory product had aslight degree of influence on the weight changes. In the pathologicalinspection, although the fact that a (slight) deposition that seemed tobe remaining secretory product was found on the site of administrationsuggested that the secretory product was not be subcutaneously absorbedwell, the secretory product was presumably weak irritant because in thesite of administration, changes such as inflammatory reaction was notobserved. Furthermore, there were not any abnormal findings in otherobservation sites in the pathological inspection, so that clear toxicitychanges originating in the exertion were not found.

From above results, it was apparent that the minimum lethal dose was2,000 mg/kg or more because there were not any clear toxicity changesoriginating in the secretory products, and furthermore, moribund or deadanimals were not found. Accordingly, the microorganism secretory productof the present invention is nontoxic, and thus can be used fortreatment.

Fifth Embodiment

Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be explained.

Case 1

-   In case 1, Results of subcutaneously injecting a patient A under    treatment for Helicobacter pylori with the novel microorganism of    the present invention, together with Helicobacter pylori bacteria    scavenging agent.

Preparation method: The secretory product was extracted in the samemanner as in Embodiment 2.

-   Administration Method: The secretory product of 0.2 g and a normal    saline solution were mixed, and administered by subcutaneously    injecting the patient A with the mixture twice a day for seven days.-   Results: The patient A showed gastric improvement 8 days later. The    novel microorganism was viewed in any section collected from gastric    wall under a microscope. The stomach felt light and free from    something lying, heartburn did not occur next morning. Stomach    condition was sufficiently improved.

Sixth Embodiment

Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be explained. When thesection collected in Embodiment 5 was subjected to Giemsa staining, thenovel microorganism of the present invention was confirmed to makefigure-eight movement under a microscope.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, the novel microorganism wasconfirmed from the experiments to be able to promote gastric juicesecretion, and furthermore, to be nontoxic. The present inventiontherefore has industrial applicability.

1. A novel microorganism belonging to the species Bacillus pumilus, withInternational Deposit Number NITE BP-295.
 2. The novel microorganism setforth in claim 1, which can take the form of either cocci or bacilli. 3.A novel microorganism having the following bacteriological properties:(1) being gram-positive; (2) being non-photodegradable; (3) beingmotile; (4) having a flagellum on either end; (5) being aerobic; (6)being 0.5 to 1 μm×10 to 20 μm in size; and (7) being non-pyrogenic.
 4. Anovel microorganism belonging to the species Bacillus pumilus, havingthe genes in Seq. No.
 1. 5. A composition promoting gastric juicesecretion, composed of a secretory product of the novel microorganismset forth in claim 1 through claim
 4. 6. A platelet increasingcomposition composed of a secretory product of the novel microorganismset forth in claim 1 through claim
 4. 7. A Bacillus product obtained bycultivating a novel microorganism belonging to the species Bacilluspumilus with International Deposit Number NITE BP-295, having an optimalpH in a pH range of approximately pH 8.0 to 11.5, and having an optimaltemperature in a range of approximately 50 to 60° C.
 8. A plasmid havingeither a portion of or the entirety of the genes set forth in Seq. No.1.